Tag Archives: Pop punk; New Releases

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 169 (2020-17) The Pandemic/BLM Episodes

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I was almost emotional watching the moms and dads in Portland intercede between the criminal government agents and the demonstrators in the on-going public discussion about race in America. I never thought I would ever see the day that the federal government would use a secretive unmarked paramilitary force to kidnap citizens off city streets and use an unlawful level of violence against demonstrators all to, arguably, protect against vandalism of federal monuments erected as a reminder, in some instances, of our country’s oppressive and racist past and the ongoing struggle for equality by the disenfranchised because of race, gender, disability, and privilege. Wow, that was a long sentence. Here is the short version – the Trump administration’s actions violate the constitutional rights of peaceful and lawful protestors. No one is condoning vandalism, violence or anarchy. I am not an anarchist. Anarchy only exists in my mind. What is being missed in the Fox masquerading as “news” opinion network’s daily screed is that the government represents the majority of the people i.e. we apparently elected our representatives. When the majority represented by government agents interferes with the peaceful minority’s right to disagree with the majority, this interference is the first step towards the majority repressing minority viewpoints. That action, is tyranny.

José Ortega y Gasset in “The Revolt of the Masses” (1930) recognized the issue of the mass mind:

As they say in the United States: “to be different is to be indecent.” The mass crushes beneath it everything that is different, everything that is excellent, individual, qualified and select. Anybody who is not like everybody, who does not think like everybody, runs the risk of being eliminated. And it is clear, of course, that this “everybody” is not “everybody.” “Everybody” was normally the complex unity of the mass and the divergent, specialized minorities. Nowadays, “everybody” is the mass alone. Here we have the formidable fact of our times, described without any concealment of the brutality of its features.— Chapter 1, “The Coming of the Masses”

The Fascist and Syndicalist species were characterized by the first appearance of a type of man who “did not care to give reasons or even to be right”, but who was simply resolved to impose his opinions. That was the novelty: the right not to be right, not to be reasonable: “the reason of unreason.”— Chapter 8, “Why the Masses Intervene in Everything and Why They Always Intervene Violently”

Sound familiar?

Finally, in case you haven’t heard, Burger Records is no longer a record label and Lollipop records is also in the middle of a reckoning. Both labels are accused of participation in rape culture and support of artists who have engaged in abhorrent behavior with and towards young female fans and scene followers. Please support those brave individuals who were have come forward and expose the truly dark side of Los Angeles’s garage rock/indie scene.

I should also shout out Globelamp aka Elizabeth LeFey, who has tried for several years to have her voice heard regarding her time with Foxygen and now seems to be finding support in the indie community.

For details on what is transpiring in the Los Angles indie rock scene and so you can form your opinion as to what has happened, what is currently transpiring, the bands, record labels, and music festivals involved and, more importantly, the young women and their treatment, follow these IG accounts:

  1. @globelamp
  2. @lured_by_burger_records
  3. @lured_by_lolipop_records

Here is what you will find in Episode 169:

  1. Whispertown – “Born To Ride” (I’m A Man)
  2. Affidavit – “The Truth” (Abducted)
  3. The Tissues – “Blind Beast” (Blue Film)
  4. Space Age Playboys – “Rocket Girl” (New Rock Underground)
  5. Viagra Boys – “Lick The Bag” (Common Sense EP)
  6. Varsity – “Heaven Sent” (Fine Forever)
  7. Starflyer 59 – “Miami” (Miami)
  8. The Head & The Heart – “Sun Is Rising” (Living Mirage: The Complete Recordings)
  9. SiM – “Black & White” ( Thank God, There Are Hundreds Of Ways To Kill Enemies)
  10. The Destructos – “The Sight” (Blast!)
  11. The Detectors – “The Decline” (Ideology)
  12. Swampmeat Family Band – “Friends In The Floor” (Muck)
  13. Hanni El Khatib – “Alive” (Flight)
  14. The Outcasts – “Sex And Glory” (BBC Radio 1 John Peel Session, 29 September 1982 (1982-85)
  15. Blushh – “Make It Better” (RIP Apathy)

We’re sittin’ ’round on the couch we were makin’ words with our mouths we had a pile of junk that’s already runnin’ out . . . I can’t believe I survived! It’s all around and upside down. I’m alive! How can this be true?

KFR

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 168 (2020-16) The Pandemic/BLM Episodes

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Another week, another 4300 deaths in America. Perhaps we should take a long hard look at what we are doing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. You already have much confirmation that your government will not save you, your family or anyone else from this deadly virus. Honestly, the only effective weapons in the fight seem to be wear a mask and stay the f__ away from each other. Seems simple and practical to me. It is also readily apparent that not everyone is on board with simple and effective.

As evidenced by my first trip to a beach yesterday, Mr. Belding, not a notorious sun worshipper, attempted a foray into the wild only to observe that, for many, COVID-19 does not exist and physical distancing is a mere suggestion. Amidst all the 1st Amendment debate over the claimed right to not wear a mask in a pandemic (Freedom of Expression) and the stupid outrage over having to wear a mask as somehow a violation of this right (Karens and Kens – you know who you are), what is apparently missed by a markedly large number of covidiots is that society depends on personal accountability and wearing a mask is an expression of that personal accountability choice. That is, in order for society to function we can not reach a critical threshold of people who are just ass hats.

Mask mandates for public health reasons should not be necessary. No government wants to order people to do what should be obvious. The big picture is that we need to actually care about each other and be personally responsible and accountable for our own actions and not let our desire to be “different”, part of the “silent majority” or any other lame excuse to be a moron and actually interfere with the right of others persons to be free from stupid. Don’t be an idiot, wear a mask and as noted above, stay the f___ away from me.

As for Episode 168 of Tales From The Drop Box, I am solely responsible for the content. Yup, and in my humble and very biased opinion, I believe this episode, much like the 167 preceding this one, is it worth about an hour of your time. 15 songs by bands that you likely don’t know much about, in a variety of genres that are carefully mixed to touch your soul. I am personally responsible for making sure you enjoy your time. Give it a try.

Here is what you’ll find in Episode 168:

  1. Portland – “Lady Moon” (Your Colours Will Stain)
  2. The Rhymes – “Viral” (The Rhymes)
  3. Spacey Jane – “Wasted on Me” (Sunlight)
  4. Honest Men – “Lose My Head” (I’m Okay)
  5. The Airborne Toxic Event – “All The Children” (Hollywood Park)
  6. Custard – “Take The Skinheads Bowling” (Respect All Lifeforms)
  7. America’s Favorite Punk – “Mr. Citizen” (Life After Quarantine)
  8. Flashfires – “Circus Boy” (Flashfires)
  9. Gaffa Tape Sandy – “Meat Head” (Family Mammal EP)
  10. The Growlers – “Dream World” (Dream World)
  11. The Winter Passing – “Ghost Thing” (New Ways of Living)
  12. Loyalty To Me – “Rewrites” (Clash//Co-Exist)
  13. Matthew Sweet – “I’ve Been Waiting” (Blue Sky on Mars Tour – Live At Pleasure Island, Florida June 17, 1997)
  14. Manic Street Preachers – “Roses In The Hospital” (Filet O Gang Remix Remastered)” (Manic Street Preachers)
  15. Dream Wife – “Homesick” ( So When You Gonna …)

Lady Moon may I ask you why you comfort me? When autumn comes you’re always near . . This is the part where I lose my head breaking my fingers to make amends . . .

KFR

Tales From The Drop Box Episode 165 (2020-13) The Pandemic/BLM Episodes

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Pandemic still ongoing. Still no justice for victims of systemic racism carried out by police officers against Black Americans and other persons of color. Still no answer to the real problem of privilege in our country. The COVID-19 problem is, alarmingly, growing. As the world wide number of estimated infections crosses the 10 million persons infected threshold this should give us all pause to think about the rapid acceleration of the virus. The numbers are accelerating world wide. Last week the WHO reported 183,000 new cases – the single largest number of new cases reported in one day. On average, there are approximately 150,000 new cases per day worldwide. The U.S. which accounts for 25% of those cases recorded the largest number of daily reported cases since April 23 – the peak of the New York infection. There is little doubt that the lack of leadership at the federal level is the greatest threat to the safety of our country. The response is an abysmal failure. So, as I try to be positive with these notes, here are some suggestions:

  1. Always physically distance yourself from persons who are not your immediate family. This should make intuitive sense to everyone. I stay away from you and yuo stay away from me and we don’t spread the virus to each other. Why people still argue this point is a mystery to me. The large numbers of people who believe that this advice is false is a greater concern. Truly, this mystical belief that the physical distancing from each other is not effective and that the virus will disappear as if by magic (see a certain POTUS) is the very definition of idiot.]
  2. Wash your hands and avoid contact with your nose, eyes and mouth.
  3. When you cannot physically distance yourself from other people wear a cloth covering over your mouth and nose i.e. a face mask. [This is not a political statement – it is an objective statement based upon the best available science. Don’t be stupid – mask up].
  4. Vote for leaders who understand that public health emergencies are not political theater and need to be taken seriously; react by providing responses based upon based available objective data; provide a consistent rational message including realistic probabilities of events where the data is unclear; and don’t lie to the people. [Again, this is not advocating for any particular political party. It is a statement about leadership. Don’t vote for idiots who will kill you because they are either stupid or incredibly uniformed and lazy to actually think and then take reasoned action].

As for this week’s episode of Tales From The Drop Box Episode 165, there is no real theme. I have tried for consistency over these latest episodes and this one should fit right in the pocket. I have some power pop, indie rock, pop, punk rock and hell yeah a little live Chris Isaak whose first couple of records were actually really good. So, turn it up a little bit (because you are physically distanced) so you can share it with your neighbors, think positive thoughts and stay safe until next week!

Here is what you will find in Episode 165:

  1. Indian Queens – “Wanderlust” (God Is Woman)
  2. Butch Walker – “Gridlock” (American Love Story)
  3. Nova Twins – “Devil’s Face” (Who Are The Girls?)
  4. The Whiffs – “Hey Little Anne” (Another Whiff)
  5. The Wombats -“Headbutt Rock” (B-Z Sides 2003-2017 (In Rough Chronological Order))
  6. Japan, Man – “I Like To Wait” ( I Like To Wait EP)
  7. Kevin Devine & The Goddamn Band – “Stay Away” (Nevermind)
  8. Pkew Pkew Pkew – “The Polynesian” (Optimal Lifestyles)
  9. Silverstein – “Coming Down” (A Beautiful Place To Dream)
  10. Woods – “Where Do You Go When You Dream” (Strange To Explain)
  11. My Ugly Clementine – “Don’t Talk To Me” (Vitamin C)
  12. Boniface – “Dear Megan” (Boniface (Deluxe Edition))
  13. Single Mothers – “Road Sick” (New Damage Switcheroo Vol. 1)
  14. Chris Isaak – “Somebody’s Crying (Live)” (The World Was On Fire (Live 1995)
  15. Abbey Glover – “La Nuit” (Everybody Leaves)

Counting the days ’til, ’til I run away counting the days and the nights I stay oh, waiting is a game I like to play . . . Preoccupied with life itself absorbed all the attention you need
return to the state you were born an old friend you left to die . . ..

KFR

Who Is Masked Intruder?

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I’m listening to a new LP full of pop punk gold nuggets in the form of the recently reissued debut by Masked Intruder. This was supposed to release to the masses in August last year, but never found general release until it hits your Dropbox next month. This is your early warning.

http://www.punknews.org/review/11407/masked-intruder-masked-intruder